Klopp happy to see 2020 come to an end

VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCES WITH LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP AND NEWCASTLE UNITED MANAGER, STEVE BRUCE FOLLOWING THEIR 0-0 DRAW IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

SHOWS: NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (DECEMBER 30, 2020) (NEWCASTLE UNITED HANDOUT-ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING:

"It's difficult to win a game but you can have a draw with a bad performance or you can have a draw with a good performance. Tonight we had a draw with a good performance. We just didn't use the chances and that's why I'm OK."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING:

"What happened in 2020 is a new experience for all of us. I didn't need it but we all got it and now we deal with it and we have to still deal with it. We have to stay disciplined. 2020 had one highlight and a lot of challenges. The highlight was becoming champion. All the rest were big big challenges and we will face a few more challenges in life but I'm quite happy that 2020 is nearly over now to be honest. Apart from becoming champion this is not a year I will think a lot about in the future."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING:

"We signed Thiago (Alcantara) actually because we thought he was a good player so you can imagine we would like to have him in the team that is clear. What the other boys in midfield did without Thiago whilst he was out was absolutely incredible. For example, James Milner played a super game tonight in midfield! So it's good. He's a super player. I think from tonight the 20 minutes, around 12 were brilliant and then he felt the intensity but that's not normal. He's trained twice with the team so still some physical work to do some rhythm. Shaq is back (Xherdan Shaqiri) but all good. That's the best news tonight that the boys are back and as far as I know nobody was injured tonight so that's a good thing so that probably means we can go with the same squad to Southhampton."

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEWCASTLE UNITED MANAGER, STEVE BRUCE, SAYING:

REPORTER (OUT OF SHOT), ASKING: "Steve given the last week or so you must be pretty proud of the boys tonight."

"Yeah of course we needed our goalkeeper to play well and we have to have a little bit of luck along the way of course but the effort, the endeavor and the commitment that they showed. It just shows that it can get you a result. I couldn't be more pleased. There were signs against Man City that I was pleased about. Tot go back to back against Man City and Liverpool in the manner that we've done. I couldn't be more pleased."

STORY: An off-key Liverpool were frustrated for a second successive game by struggling opponents as they were held to a 0-0 Premier League draw at Newcastle United on Wednesday (December 30). Juergen Klopp's side had the chance to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table, but a combination of wastefulness and Newcastle's valiant rearguard kept them at bay.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were all guilty of poor finishing for the champions while Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow produced a couple of fine saves.

Liverpool were held 1-1 by second-bottom West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and also drew with struggling Fulham earlier this month. Klopp's team lead the table going into the New Year with 33 points from 16 games, but second-placed Manchester United are only three points behind with a match in hand.

"It's difficult to win a game but you can have a draw with a bad performance or you can have a draw with a good performance. Tonight we had a draw with a good performance", Klopp said. "We just didn't use the chances and that's why I'm ok."

Newcastle climbed a place to 14th, eight points above the bottom three .Liverpool enjoyed overwhelming possession early on but lacked their usual zip and it gave heart to a Newcastle side who had lost two and drawn one of their last three league games.

The visitors struggled to carve out chances but did so just past the half hour when Salah found himself in acres of space in the area but his shot was turned around the post by Darlow. Darlow then beat away Firmino's header from Mane's cross as the hosts arrived at halftime on level terms. Liverpool raised their tempo in the second half and Newcastle were forced deeper and deeper. Mane headed wide and Salah again found himself with the goal at his mercy after taking Firmino's slide rule pass but he guided his shot wide of the post.

Firmino headed another chance wide and Mane looked poised to tap in a loose ball but Fabian Schar produced a last-ditch clearance to avert the danger. Darlow made another excellent save to keep out Firmino's header but Ciaran Clark almost netted late on for Newcastle with a header that was clawed out by Alisson.

(Production: Peter Bullock)